Buffalo River increases campground fees

The scenic river in north Arkansas is a popular recreation site, but officials say budget cuts are straining the park's ability to provide services.

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By Associated Press

Stuttgart Daily Leader - Stuttgart, AR

By Associated Press

Posted Nov. 15, 2013 at 9:52 AM

By Associated Press

Posted Nov. 15, 2013 at 9:52 AM

HARRISON, Ark.

Buffalo National River officials said Monday fees at five campgrounds in north Arkansas will increase as a way to maintain services and cope with federal budget cuts.

The scenic river in north Arkansas is a popular recreation site, but officials say budget cuts are straining the park's ability to provide services.

One site, the Erbie Campground near Pruitt, is to remain closed at least through the end of 2014.

"Erbie is popular in the spring and early summer, especially with locals. But its location — seven miles from the highway down a rough gravel road — makes it cost prohibitive to maintain, patrol, and collect fees," said Teri Gage, concessions manager for the park.

Nightly fees will increase by $2 per night at Kyles Landing, Ozark, and Steel Creek; $4 per night at Buffalo Point and Tyler Bend and $5 per night at Buffalo Point.

The increase goes into effect Friday, but the Buffalo National River doesn't charge a camping fee from mid-November until mid-March, so campers won't see a difference until March 14.

The added fees are expected to bring in between $50,000 and $75,000, which Gage said would go toward maintenance, repairs, utilities and improvements. But the extra revenue won't offset federal reductions.

"The budget cuts are real and they're painful," Superintendent Kevin Cheri said. "The decision to close facilities is a tough one to make and certainly not popular, but sometimes it's the only option we have."

The Rush and Carver campgrounds are being removed from the fee program and services will be reduced at those sites. The park said the sites have low occupancy and the fees didn't offset the cost of collecting the money. Rush will offer primitive tent camping, but with no drinking water or trash services. Carver will remain open as a river access point but with no toilet or trash services.

"We're doing our best to keep as many facilities open as possible," Cheri said. "But we have 24 vacant positions and the remaining staff is stretched mighty thin. To make this work, we need the cooperation of the public. We're hoping that the visitors who love the river will embrace the new pack it in/pack it out approach and be good stewards of the park."